VTT succeeds in predicting the spread of microbes in spacecraft

30/10/2013

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Also methods for managing infection risks in public transport, hospitals and offices

Research scientists from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland participated
in the EU's and Russia's joint BIOSMHARS project for developing means of
controlling harmful microbes in manned spacecraft. The spread of microbes in
closed spaces could be reliably predicted. By using the research results and
calculation models, methods can also be developed for the management of the
spread of microbes and bacteria in hospitals, public transport and office
premises.

The BIOSMHARS project was implemented in 2011–2013 as the first stage in
scientific co-operation between the EU and Russia in the control of harmful
microbes in manned spacecraft. VTT's role in the project was central with
regard to modelling, ventilation and contamination management, and in
measurement verification. BIOSMHARS is part of the wider EU FP7 Space
programme.

"On long space flights, some lasting up to
hundreds of days, a human's immune system weakens and muscles atrophy. At the
same time, some bacteria rapidly grow stronger and may mutate into
antibiotic-resistant variants. The longer the space flight, the larger the
crew's health risks and resultant problems. It is important to increase our
understanding of how bio aerosols are created, how they spread in the indoor
air and why they survive in exceptional conditions", says Principal Scientist Ilpo
Kulmala who headed the programme on VTT's behalf. "We developed a
calculation model that was successful in giving a reliable prediction of the
transfer and spread of microbes in closed spaces."

Microbes
accumulating on surfaces within closed spaces may deteriorate the material
properties, and even destroy materials. "Over the longer term, our objective
is to improve and develop methods for the effective management of the harmful
effects of the spread of microbes, not just in spacecraft, but in hospitals,
public transport and office premises", says Kulmala.

More
effective management of infection risk

Participants in
the BIOSMHARS project included experts in space technology, microbiology and
modelling The CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) calculation model for
predicting the transfer and spread of microbes was validated in VTT's test
laboratory and in a fully closed ecosystem in IBP's BIOS-3 test room in
Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

"We concentrated on modelling microbes
released from human skin and breathing. Once we are able to model the spread
of microbes, we can also develop effective means of controlling the infection
risk. When someone sneezes, the microbe concentration is densest close to the
body, but already mixed quite evenly in the air as little as one metre away.
In terrestrial conditions, the drops and particles settle quickly", Kulmala
says. "In weightlessness, the drops created during a sneeze remain in the air,
with the risk that they enter the respiratory system. Microbes move with air
flows, and also accumulate on electrically charged surfaces.”

"People
in developed countries spend a mere 90 per cent of their time indoors – in a
spacecraft it is 100 per cent. The risk of diseases spreading through air can
be reduced through sufficient ventilation, proper air distribution, and
personal behaviour and hygiene", Kulmala explains.

In
addition to researchers from VTT, the BIOSMHARS project that ended in the
summer of 2013 also involved researchers from the University of Eastern
Finland and international research organisations.

"The
accuracy of calculation models depends on several factors, and only a reliable
and usually tedious verification brings certainty of the model working
correctly", says Kulmala. "The scientific co-operation between the EU and
Russia was unique. The project was very successful, and we will continue
research for further development of the calculation models. The European Space
Agency ESA is also interested in the development of the model. Another
direction is use of the model in the management of infection risk, for
example, in public transport such as passenger aircraft, and hospital premises
requiring high-level hygiene. We can also find new methods for more effective
management of pandemics."

The research leading to these
results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework
Programme ([FP7/2007-2013]) under grant agreement No. 263076 within the
BIOSMHARS Project (BIO contamination Specific Modelling in Habitats Related to
Space).